Another Zamboanga lifter delivers in Tashkent

MANILA, Philippines — Rose Jean Ramos, a 17-year-old lass from Zamboanga City, harvested four gold medals plus a silver and a bronze in a big show of force in the World Youth Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last Monday.

Ramos, winner of two golds and a silver in the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Leon, Mexico last month, swept all three golds in the women’s 45-kilogram division (13 to 17 years old). She reigned supreme in snatch, clean and jerk and total with impressive lifts of 70 kg, 83 kg and 153kg, respectively.

She added another gold in the junior division (15-20) in snatch and had silver in total and bronze in clean and jerk using the same weight lifted in the youth section.

It was a feat that reinforced notions that Ramos is one of the country’s potential successors to Philippine weightlifting queen Hidilyn Diaz, who delivered the country’s breakthrough Olympic gold in the Tokyo Games last year.

Earlier, 15-year-old Angeline Colonia, also from Zamboanga, snared two mints in her own weight class.

It added to an already massive Philippine medal collection of six golds, two silver and three bronzes.

Two of the mints were provided for by another Zamboanga product in 15-year-old Angeline Colonia a few days back.

And expect more to come out from that powerful Philippine team today as Rose Jean’s elder sister, 16-year-old Rosegie, and Asian and Southeast Asian Games teenage sensation, 18-year-old Vanessa Sarno are scheduled to compete next.

“Rosegie will get some golds, too. I hope and Vanessa will rule her weight tomorrow hopefully for more golds,” Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella told The STAR.

“This will be a golden trip, gold for everyday. Our future is here,” he added.